Chapter 2

I hid in the storage room, palms sweating.

The door suddenly slammed open.

Margo stood there, looking impatient.

"Eva, someone's here to see you. Get out here!"

She grabbed my arm and dragged me out.

I was pulled into the hallway. I saw them immediately.

My mother wore a mink coat. Her face was full of disgust.

My father had a dark expression. His eyes were irritated.

Marcus had his arm around Sarah's waist. When Sarah saw me, she smirked.

My mother's first words cut like a knife.

"Evelyn, how did you turn into such a mess? You're an embarrassment to the Carter family!"

I looked at her. My voice was numb.

"I don't know you. Please leave."

My father exploded instantly. He pointed at my nose and yelled.

"How dare you talk back? If you hadn't gone crazy, would we have sent you to the hospital?"

Sarah pretended to play peacemaker.

"Dad, don't be angry. Evelyn might still be sick. Let's not provoke her."

She said it sweetly, but her eyes mocked me.

Marcus joined in. "That's right. Evelyn suffered all these years. We should compensate her."

My mother sneered.

"She's insane. Taking care of her is mercy enough. Compensation? Nonsense. Sarah, don't be like her—crazy and annoying."

Margo very perceptively brought over tea. She shoved the tray into my hands and ordered.

"Pour tea for the guests, you useless thing!"

My hands shook as I picked up the teapot. I was trembling so badly that tea spilled everywhere.

Sarah suddenly reached out. She "accidentally" bumped my wrist.

Scalding tea splashed onto my hand. The pain made me gasp.

But Sarah screamed and jumped back.

"Evelyn, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to!"

She turned and hid behind Marcus, looking pitiful.

"Honey, I'm scared. Is Evelyn having an episode again?"

Marcus immediately grabbed her hand and soothed her.

Then he looked at me with reproach.

"Sarah, Evelyn's emotionally unstable. Don't take it personally."

His hand gently touched Sarah's head.

That gesture was as tender as how he used to touch me twenty years ago.

My heart felt like it was being stabbed.

My mother suddenly spoke again.

"Next week is Sarah's birthday party. Evelyn, you should come."

She used a condescending tone.

"Toast your sister and apologize. Then we'll let this whole thing go."

Her words made me laugh. I looked at her and said each word clearly.

"I will not go."

My father's face darkened immediately. His voice was threatening.

"You're going whether you like it or not. Now that you're out, you need to apologize publicly to save face. So you WILL apologize in front of everyone!"

After they left, I went back to the storage room alone.

The burn on my hand had blistered badly.

There was a broken mirror in the corner. I looked at myself.

All white hair. No teeth. Wrinkles everywhere. I looked like a seventy-year-old woman.

I suddenly laughed. I laughed until tears came.

They wanted me at Sarah’s party? Perfect. I'd make it a celebration no one would ever forget!